Chapter 11 · Blood Debt Goes Public

"Six." Ivy yanked Ryan sideways before he cleared the tree line. His back slammed into the cart. "Count them if you want proof. Six blades on the gate road, and not one of them's dressed like a toll collector."

Ryan peered through the gap between the slats. Six men stood across the road, weapons already drawn. Tobin dropped beside him, clutching the strongbox to his chest.

"That's Lane's men," Tobin whispered. "I've seen two of them before. They collect debts the hard way."

"They're not here for debts." Ivy kept her eyes on the road. "They're here for him."

She jerked her chin at Ryan.

"And you're carrying the one thing Victor Lane can't let reach that square."

Ryan glanced at the strongbox. Then at the gate. "So we go around."

"There is no around." Ivy checked the knife at her hip. "This road's the only one wide enough for the cart. The cart's the only thing fast enough to get Tobin and that box into town before Lane buries the evidence."

"You said you had a plan."

"I do."

"Which is?"

"Me."

She stepped out from cover before he could grab her.